Saudi Arabia expressed deep concern on Wednesday over the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly the continued exchange of fire along their shared borders. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on both nations to de-escalate, avoid further escalation, and resolve their disputes through diplomatic means. The Kingdom emphasized the importance of respecting the principles of good neighborliness and working toward regional stability and peace for the benefit of both peoples and the wider region. Pakistan warned Wednesday that India may launch a military strike within the next 24 to 36 hours as tensions between the two nations surged following a deadly attack last week in Indian-administered Kashmir. In a statement posted on X, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Islamabad has "credible intelligence" that New Delhi is planning to take military action under the "pretext of baseless and concocted allegations of involvement" in the April 22 attack by gunmen in the tourist resort of Pahalgam which killed 26 people. "Pakistan reiterates that any such military adventurism by India would be responded to assuredly and decisively. The international community must remain alive to the reality that the onus of escalatory spiral and its ensuing consequences shall squarely lie with India," he said. New Delhi said the attack had "cross-border" links. Islamabad, however, has distanced itself from the attack, expressing concern and offering to cooperate with an independent inquiry into the attack. India suspended a decades-long water-sharing agreement, the Indus Waters Treaty, following the attack, a move condemned by Islamabad. The two countries have also shut border crossings and further downgraded diplomatic ties. — SG with inputs from Agencies
